Abstract
Nowadays, unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) are mainly obtained from non-renewable resources. The ever-increasing regulations and the continuous demand for more sustainability have led to extensive research towards more environmentally suitable alternatives to petroleum-based materials. However, one of the main disadvantages of bio-based UPR is their relatively high viscosity compared to petrochemical ones. In order to overcome this drawback, in this work, we investigated the possibility to lower the resin viscosity utilizing a mixture of dimethyl itaconate (DMI) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a reactive diluent. The effect of the DMI and MMA ratio on resin rheological properties was investigated. The optimal curing parameters were determined and all UPRs had a high gel content, which was shown to be dependent on the DMI and MMA ratio in the formulation. Furthermore, thermomechanical and mechanical properties of the resulting network were also found to be affected by the used reactive diluent mixture. A small substitution of DMI by MMA proved to be advantageous since it offers lower resin viscosity and improved mechanical properties.
Highlights
Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) are one of the most essential classes of polymers and highly versatile as they can be tailor-made to achieve the desired properties
In order to overcome this drawback, in this work, we investigated the possibility to lower the resin viscosity utilizing a mixture of dimethyl itaconate (DMI) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a reactive diluent
The initiator, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO), and reactive diluents used for preparation of cured resins, dimethyl itaconate (DMI) and methyl methacrylate (MMA), were all supplied by Sigma Aldrich
Summary
Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) are one of the most essential classes of polymers and highly versatile as they can be tailor-made to achieve the desired properties. Since the middle of the 20th century, when commercial production started, UPRs have been used with great success in many industrial sectors [1]. These polymers have been the center of a real revolution in the boat industry, as they can provide great performances and a very high flexibility of use. Owing to their great design versatility, light weight, easy handling, lower system costs and mechanical strength, UPRs are commonly used in the automotive sector. The most commonly used reactants originate from petrochemical sources, and the toxicity and volatility of these materials require careful environmental, health and safety monitoring
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